Statistical Investigation
Rangahau Tauanga โข Using Data to Answer Questions
Duration
6-8 weeks
Year Level
Year 8 (Level 4)
Subject
Mathematics & Statistics
Focus
PPDAC Cycle
"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."
What is the greatest thing in the world? It is people, people, people.
Statistics help us understand people โ their needs, experiences, and stories told through data.
๐ Unit Overview
In this unit, students will learn to conduct their own statistical investigations using the PPDAC cycle. They will pose questions, plan data collection, gather and analyze data, and communicate findings โ all grounded in contexts relevant to Aotearoa and their own lives.
Learning Outcomes
- Pose investigative questions that can be answered with data
- Plan and conduct data collection (surveys, experiments, existing data)
- Organize data using tables, graphs, and digital tools
- Analyze data using measures of center (mean, median, mode) and spread
- Draw conclusions and communicate findings clearly
- Consider ethical aspects of data collection and use
๐ The PPDAC Cycle
Statistical investigation follows a cycle:
Problem
Pose a question
Plan
Design the investigation
Data
Collect information
Analysis
Explore patterns
Conclusion
Answer the question
๐ Lessons
1 What is Statistics?
Introduction to statistics and its role in everyday life. Exploring data in Aotearoa contexts.
๐ฏ Focus: Understanding why data matters
2 Posing Good Questions
Learning to ask investigative questions that can be answered with data.
๐ฏ Focus: Problem phase of PPDAC
3 Planning Data Collection
Survey design, sampling methods, and ethical considerations.
๐ฏ Focus: Plan phase of PPDAC
4 Collecting Data
Conducting surveys, gathering existing data, recording accurately.
๐ฏ Focus: Data phase of PPDAC
5 Organizing Data
Tables, tally charts, and using spreadsheets to organize data.
๐ฏ Focus: Preparing for analysis
6 Displaying Data
Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs โ choosing the right display.
๐ฏ Focus: Visual representation
7 Measures of Center
Mean, median, and mode โ what they tell us about data.
๐ฏ Focus: Analysis phase
8 Drawing Conclusions
Interpreting results and answering the original question.
๐ฏ Focus: Conclusion phase
9 Presenting Findings
Communicating statistical findings clearly and effectively.
๐ฏ Focus: Communication skills
10 Investigation Project
Complete independent investigation using the full PPDAC cycle.
๐ฏ Focus: Summative assessment
๐ณ๐ฟ Aotearoa Context Ideas
Investigation topics connected to Aotearoa:
- ๐ฑ Screen time and wellbeing among NZ youth
- ๐ Housing costs across different regions
- ๐ฆ Native bird populations and conservation
- ๐ Beach clean-up data โ types of rubbish collected
- ๐ School travel methods and sustainability
- ๐ Sports participation rates by gender
- ๐ฟ Te reo Mฤori usage in homes
- ๐ Stats NZ data about our communities
๐ Unit Resources
๐ Curriculum Alignment
NZ Curriculum Level 4 โ Statistics
- Plan and conduct investigations using the statistical enquiry cycle
- Determine appropriate variables and data collection methods
- Gather, sort, and display multivariate category and whole number data
- Identify patterns and trends in context, communicating findings clearly
Key Competencies: Thinking, Using Language Symbols and Texts, Participating and Contributing
Kaiako Planning Snapshot
Ngฤ Whฤinga Akoranga โ Learning Intentions
- Pose a statistical question, plan a data collection method, and carry out the investigation using the PPDAC cycle.
- Represent and analyse data using appropriate graphs, identifying patterns and distributions.
- Write evidence-based conclusions that directly answer the original statistical question.
Paearu Angitu โ Success Criteria
- I can write a clear statistical question and explain how I will collect data to answer it fairly.
- I can create a graph that appropriately represents my data and describe what it shows.
- I can write a conclusion using statistical language that refers back to my evidence.
Teacher Planning Snapshot
- Year level: Year 8 | Duration: 4โ6 weeks | NZC Level 4 (Mathematics and Statistics โ Statistical Literacy and Investigation)
- Mฤtauranga Mฤori: "He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata." Statistical investigation in this unit centres on human stories and community contexts โ not abstract datasets. Kaitiakitanga informs the ethical use of data: who collects it, who it represents, and what it is used for. Encourage investigations that draw on tฤngata whenua community questions and position data as a taonga that must be handled with respect and accountability.
- Entry support: Scaffolded PPDAC template. Begin with whole-class demonstration investigation. Pre-teach graph types with annotated examples. Pair-based data collection for entry-level students.
- On-level: Students design and carry out an independent investigation, choose appropriate graph types, and write structured PPDAC conclusions.
- Extension: Use secondary data sources (StatsNZ, iwi reports). Compare own findings to published data. Critically examine survey design and potential sampling bias.
Inclusion and Accessibility
- ESOL / ELL: Sentence frames for each PPDAC stage. Bilingual data collection tools where available. Visual graph-type selection guide.
- Accessibility: Digital graphing alternatives (Desmos, Google Sheets). Oral conclusions accepted. Partner data entry support during collection phase.
- Neurodiverse learners: Chunked PPDAC template with one stage per page. Visual checklist for investigation steps. Choice of investigation topic to maximise engagement and ownership.